Beginning March 3, 2013, visitors to the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, will get to not only see but be able to walk through a high-performance healthy green classroom. Sprout Space, the modular category winner of the Open Architecture Challenge: Design the Classroom of the Future by Architecture for Humanity and the Open Architecture Network, will be displayed on the lawn throughout 2013 as part of the Green Schools exhibit.

Sprout Space distributor Triumph Modular and builder Mark Line Industries translated the winning design into a repeatable building suitable for prefabrication.

“We are excited to bring Sprout Space to market,” said Cliff Cort, president of Triumph Modular. “For nearly a decade, our team has been making strides in the manufacturing and installation of energy-efficient modular buildings. Sprout Space is one of the most viable solutions I’ve seen to address a set of challenges that our industry has faced in improving the quality of modular school space.”

Visitors to the National Building Museum will see some of these key features
in action:

Sustainability

Sprout Space operates with significantly lower utility costs due to sustainable design features such as sun shades, integrated rainwater collection, photovoltaic roof panels, LED lighting coupled with lighting controls, efficient heating and cooling systems, generous day lighting, operable windows and natural ventilation. These strategies help the building operate as a net-zero energy building, with the eventual goal to provide an energy independent classroom.

Healthy Air Quality

The materials in Sprout Space have been carefully selected to prevent off-gassing and create the healthiest indoor air possible. The prefab classroom also utilizes the most efficient heating and cooling technology while providing ample fresh air, which has been proven to improve children’s performance in the classroom.

Flexibility in Design, Usage and Teaching Styles

Sprout Space was developed specifically to enhance learning through its unique design, which encourages various teaching styles and seating arrangements, impromptu collaboration among peers, and outdoor learning. This classroom’s environment is adaptive and is equipped to meet the needs of the students.

Modular Classroom Vs. Green Modular Classroom

In addition to the classroom on the lawn, visitors can see a display that explains the difference between green modular classrooms and general modular classrooms. Modular Genius constructed the display featuring cross sections of a green modular classroom next to those from a typical traditional modular classroom.

Modular Genius was proud to be a partner with Hord Coplan Macht and Barrie School in creating the cross-section exhibit of the recently completed Smart Building, located in Silver Spring, Maryland.